drron29

I had forgotten to replenish my cash reserves so found myself with just 30 euro to pay for entry fees and lunch. Te entry to the castle and ramparts was Euro 9.50. As this turned out to be the best thing to do in the old town I am glad I did it. So off we go. Starts off with an audiovisual display. A lot of climbing and descending stairs. But some great iews.

On our mid cruise questionnare I asked if hosted tables at dinner would resume. The answer was it is currently being reviewed by head office to resume fleet wide. We miss this little extra.

Walking into the city there was a local market though I thought with produce at tourist prices. Now on this walk up to the castle a young Englih couple were tagging along listening to the commentary from our guide. It was to be a slf guided tour so no earpieces. Thet were a lovely fun couple and a couple of us older folk had an enjoyable conversation with them. They will feature in an upcoming post on another day.

And we arrived at Carcassonne. There was a funny episode as I watched people get off the bus. There was an older couple who preceeded us into Atlantide. It was a formal night but he was only wearing a bright short sleeve shirt with no jacket or tie. The Dress Code is being enforced on this segment so he was asked if he would go back to his room and get a jacket. From then his partner took over and was quite aggressive saying Why should he wear a jacket to the every day restaurant. The Maitre'D remained calm and pointed out that the dress code was formal for the night and that it had been printed in the chronicles. and announced in one of the announcements. She again said she couldn't see why he should have to wear a jacket and said besides he doesn't have one. The Maitre'D said well you have 2choices. You can eat in La Terraza which does have tables available tonight or have room service. The other option is we can lend him a jacket andtie. After a few more pithy remarks she agreed to the second choice. But as luck would have it they were on yhe bus I was on. It was quite a cold day and he was wearing a jacket. It was an expensive black leather jacket but would have looked better than many of the other jackets the night before. that night I told the Maitr'D who had agood chuckle. So back to the report. The view of the walled city after alighting the bus.

About half way we stopped at a Rest area for a comfort stop. I immediately thought when I saw the Supermarket nam Hello,Hello. Therewas a patisserie whic had pastels de Nata but I decided against having one. There was also a Hungry Jacks but it was closed.. So off again on the bus.

The next day we awoke in Sete,France. Another industrial city. The views from our balcony. I then set off on a 2 hour tour ton Medieval Carcassonne whilst Rojaan stayed on board as they said extensive walking over rough ground and she didn't want her hip playing up more than it already was. After the visit it was quite obvious that she made the correct decision as there was a lot of ups and downs on narrow stairs. Unfortunately on our bus there was an under 2 year old who grizzled,cried, was very loud and threw a couple of tantrums. I wasn't alone not liking the experience. So scenes from the bus. Once again a coal port. Lots of vineyards.

Not much else that day. We improved our trivia score to 16 but dropped a place to second. Golf was even more crowded today so it will be my last day until the next segment. Back to Atlantide for dinner with one of the other couples on the trivia team. So the days menu. Rojaan went with her usual pics with the beef tartare and lamb chops. I went with the seafood medley with caviar, the pumpkin soup and the Wiener schnitzel. All quite acceptable though the schnitzel just slightly dry. Then it was time for sunset.

Today when we awoke this was our view. A very calm Mediterranean. Yes it was a sea day. I decided on something different for breakfast -a panini with smoked salmon and cottage cream heated up. When we had finished breakfast we noticed some people on the deck getting excited so I went to investigate. Dolphins. They didn't remain on the surface for long and were spread out so I just pointed and clicked away. Surprised to see 4 out of 6 shots had dolphins in them including one obviously young one. Not very good shots though. For lunch we went back to Spaccanapoli. My Diavolo pizza was enjoyable. After lunch I went and did a few laps of the walking track. Views from the walk including some unclaimed sun lounges.

I forgot to mention our points chasing achievements. There were only about half the number of people at trivia than on the previous segment. We did add an English couple to the team and so reached the allowed 8 members. We thought we would be out of the points as we only scored 15. But surprisingly we won. Golf on the other hand had changes that totally affected my enjoyment as well as the other fellow who was always there on the previous segment. Numbers more than doubled to 18. Not only that there were several young children who with the teens made up more than half of the players. The 2 of us did go the following day but independently both decided that the second day was the last for this segment. Sad as for the previous segment it was the most enjoyable time I had had at golf ever.

Rojaan started again with the caviar whilst I went for the foie gras. She then had the seabass and I the prawn curry. I asked for extra spicy and it delivered. Rojaan then had the mango trilogy and I the pavlova. When we got back to our suite the Easter Bunny had been.'

Once again to Atlantide. And the wines. Before the food came our view was filled by this.

This was an excellent excursion. Our guide was helping out filling in for a friend. Normally he is a curator at a Valencia Modern Art Museum. Back on the ship and as usual to Kaiseki. And my selection.

Heading back to the Moon.

The designer referred to this as feeling like a wave. Though some ;ocals refer to it as the urinals.

Now walking to the gardens.

Part of the program for the year. The building grows on you. The rest of the precinct.

The sculpture outside the main auditorium. And now inside the hall. First the orchestra pit.

Sorry but I find talking with your butler much better than talking to or about your butler.

A definite change in atmosphere on the present leg of our cruise compared to the previous segment. A lot younger demographic and quite a few under 5's. Why are they being kept up until 9-10pm in the restaurants when they have become overtired and become grizzly or shouting? Why not an early meal time. And a 2 year old having tantrums on a 2 hour drive in a bus for an excursion is not pleasant. We had a great group at the putting last segmen now over half are under 15. Not enjoyable so no longer participating. But one positive. Not as many at Trivia so two firsts and 2 seconds. be thankful for small mercies.

Yet In Lisbon 2 weeks ago it was our best boarding experience ever. Also at the start of the next leg in Barcelona we got back from our excursion just before 1 pm and a lot had already boarded. Rooms were available just after 1pm. Delays are more likely due to Port Authorities than Silversea as the first few that you meet are their staff.

The Hyatt Dubai has obviously lost a lot of staff this year. We have met 2 waiters on their first contract who came from the Hyatt. And our favourite Atlantide waiter who we have cruised with before spent a year at that Hyatt during the pandemic.

And into one of the larger concert halls. Now a smaller hall. And the views from outside.